The sport's chief executive David Sparkes commented: "We're sorry to be losing John. He's made a massive contribution to British Swimming, both in his time with the swimming programme and latterly by leading the highly successful team to the Paralympics in London.

"We wish him well in Canada and look forward to seeing him in his new role at the next international competition."

National performance director Tim Reddish will lead the disability swimming programme on an interim basis until Atkinson's successor is appointed.